Ripper



April 4, 1939.

J. M. CORBETT RIPPER Filed Ju ly 6, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l .[NVENTQR JOHN M. C ORBETT BY A TTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED sTArEs PATENT OFFICE RIPPER Application July 6, 1936, Serial No. 89,170

6 Claims. (01. 97-73) My invention relates to earth-engaging apparatus and particularly to an improved ripper having certain novel features and advantages over the prior art which will be brought out in the following specification. I

In the art to which my invention appertains, a ripper is an apparatus having one or more ripper elements which penetrate the ground, and upon being drawn in a forward direction rip or scarify the surface, thus preparing the same so that the earth may be removed by a bulldozer, scraper, or other suitable means. 1

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved ripper, but the features and advantages thereof may be embodied in other earthworking apparatus by replacing the ripper elements for other earth-engaging elements. I do not therefore wish my invention to be strictly limited to rippers but intend that the same shall cover other apparatus in accordance with the appended claims.

It is an object of my invention to provide an apparatus of this character having a Working frame which carries working elements, and a draft frame on which the working frame is movable from a working into a non-working position and vice versa.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned which includes means for varying the depth of rip or serration. produced by the apparatus in the ground over which it is operated.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of the character pointed out heretofore in which the working frame has a fixed working position relative to the draft frame and in which the depth of rip, serration, or position of the working elements relative to the ground is determined by bodily raising or lowering the working frame.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned heretofore in which the elevational position of the working frame relative to the ground is determined by raising or lowering the draft frame, this movement or adjustment being different from the, movement of the working frame from non-working into working position.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned heretofore in which the working frame is rigidly locked in working position, and in which the elevational position of the working frame relative to the ground is determined by the elevational position of the draft frame.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a device of sturdy and simple construction which can be produced and sold very economically. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the course of the following detailed description of a ripper incorporating the features of my invention.

Referring to the drawings which accompany this application:

Fig. l is a plan view of a ripper incorporating the features of my invention showing the parts in working position.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing the parts in non-working position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral l i represents a draft frame having a draft connection if at the forward end thereof whereby the apparatus may be connected to a suitable draft vehicle. If desired, however, the draft frame ll may be incorporated as a part of the draft vehicle. The rear end of the draft frame it is bifurcated so as toprovide arms it having bearings l5 at the rear ends of the arms i i. Rotatably supported in the bearings i5 is a pivot means or shaft it which extends laterally and in a horizontal direction relative to the draft frame it.

The numeral 58 represents a working frame which includes a plurality of sockets if) for receiving the shanks 2B of earth engaging elements in the form of rippers Z i, the lower ends of these rippers 2! being provided with pointed penetrating-means 22. The shanks are removably secured in the sockets i9 by lock bars 23 as illustrated. The working frame it includes a plurality of forwardly extending arms 2% having bearings 2E which are journalled on the shaft 58. The shaft iii therefore provides a pivotal connection between the draft frame and the working frame and a means whereby the draft frame is enabled to pull the working frame.

The working frame It? has two definite positions relative to the draft frame II. It has a working position as illustrated in Fig. 3 and a non-working position as illustrated in Fig. 4. My invention provides a means for moving the working frame between these two positions, which means is constructed as follows. Formed at the central upper part of the working frame is a cylindrical boss 29 which supports a pivot shaft 30. Pivotally mounted on the ends of the pivot of the draft frame II is a cylinder 39 of a hydraulic actuating means. Within the cylinder 39 is a piston 40 to which a piston rod 4| is connected. The outer end. of the piston rod 4| is pivotally connected by means of a pivot 42 to the arm members 32 at a point eccentrictothe pivot means 35. Connected to opposite ends of the cylinder 39 are fluid conduits 44 whereby the piston may be moved in one direction or the other in order to move the toggle means between the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

When the toggle means is moved from a relatively collapsed position into a relatively extended or straight position, that is, from the position shown in Fig. 4 into the position shown in Fig. 3, the working frame I8 is pivotally moved around the shaft I6 and is moved relative to the draft frame I I. The working frame I8 is provided with a pair of stop shoulders 41 which are adapted to be engaged by the arm members 3| when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the axis 48 of the pivot 33 when the parts are in this position is below the line A- A drawn through the axes of the pivot means 30 and 35. When the apparatus is moved in a forward direction the reaction of the earth against the working elements tends to swing the working frame from working position as shown in Fig. 3 into non-working position as shown in Fig. 4. However, in view of the fact that the pivot 48 is resting below the line A-A, the toggle is locked in extended position with the arm members 3| against the shoulders 41, and is therefore at this time rigidly locked to the draft frame and the force of the earth against the earth engaging elements cannot move the working frame from working position. However, when it is desired to move the working frame from working position into non-working position as shown in Fig. 4, a forward pull exerted by the hydraulic operating means on the arms provided by the arm members 32 readily moves the axis 48 to a point above the line A-A, and thereafter the working frame is very readily moved to raised or non-working position.

For the purpose of supporting the rear end of the draft frame II my invention provides draft frame supporting means which, in this form of my invention, includes a pair of wheels 50 pivotally mounted on stub shafts 5|. The stub shafts 5| are carried at the outer ends of cranks .52, which cranks 52 have bifurcated arms 53 which are securely mounted on the shaft I6 so that whenever the shaft I6 is rotated the arms 53 move therewith and the wheels 50 move through an arcuate path around the axis of rotation of the shaft I6. The wheels 50 are intended at all times to engage the ground or surface over or link 56 which is pivotally connected to the arm 55, as shown at 51, and which is pivotally connected to the arm members 32 as shown at 53. The link 56 preferably includes two threaded shafts 60 connected together by a nut 6| so asv to provide a turnbuckle whereby the effective length of the link 56 may be increased or decreased by rotating the nut 6| in one direction or the other.

It will be seen that in view of the fact that the link 56 is connected to the arm members 32 of the toggle member, when the toggle means is operated the lever 55 will be swung, the shaft I6 will be rotated, and the wheels 50 will be raised or lowered relative to the draft frame. By reason of this arrangement, when the working frame is in non-working or raised position the wheels 50 are moved into a lower position, thus raising the rear end of the frame I I and giving ample clearance to the earth engaging elements 2|. On the other hand, when the working frame is lowered the wheels are raised relative to the draft frame II which, since the wheels at all times engage the ground, allows the draft frame to move downward relative to the ground from the position shown in Fig. 4 into the position shown in Fig. 3.

The working position of the working frame relative to the draft frame is fixed by engagement of the arm members 3| with the stops 41. In order to enable different working depths for the earth engaging elements or ripper elements 2| I have provided the adjustable link 56 which serves this purpose by raising or lowering the rear end of the frame I I. Upon shortening the length of the link 56 the frame is raised relative to the ground, thus decreasing the depth of cut, and by lengthening the link 56 the rear end of the main frame is lowered, thus increasing the depth of cut or depth of working position of the earth engaging elements.

It is believed that the operation of my invention is obvious from the foregoing description. When the device is not in operation the parts occupy the positions shown in Fig. 4. With the parts in these positions, the apparatus may be parked or may be drawn by a draft vehicle. When it is desired to use the apparatus the hydraulic operating means is actuated, thus moving the parts from the position shown in Fig. 4 into the position shown in Fig. 3. This is done by moving the working frame toward working position so that the ripper elements will first engage the ground. The apparatus is then pulled forwardly and as it is pulled forwardly the ripper elements gradually penetrate the ground and the working frame gradually moves into full working position. Using the apparatus of my invention, it is possible to back the apparatus very close to an obstruction, such for example as a vertical wall, and to perform the ripping process quite close to the wall.

It will be seen that the apparatus of my invention is rigidly locked with the parts in working position and that adjustment of depth of cut is readily accomplished by adjusting the nut 6| which changes the effective length of the link 56. My invention enables a ripper or other earth engaging apparatus to be made of simple and sturdy construction which is economical to produce and which will have a long life.

Various modifications and alterations may be made in the apparatus which I have chosen to illustrate my invention without, however, departing from the spirit and scope thereof which are defined in the appended claims.

ausaoas I claim as my invention:

1. In a ripper, the combination of: a working frame having earth ripper means; a draft frame for pulling said working frame; toggle means operably connected to said frames; operating means for operating said toggle meansso as to move said working frame between working and non-working positions; supporting means for supporting said draft frame in a suitable position; and means for lowering said supporting means relative to said draft frame when said working frame is in nonworking position.

2. In a ripper, the combination of: a working frame having earth ripper means; a draft frame for pulling said working frame; toggle means operably connected to said frames; operating means for operating said toggle means so as to move said working frame between working and non-working positions; supporting means for supporting said draft frame in a suitable position; and means operabiy connected to said toggle means for lowering said supporting means relative to said draft frame when said working frame is in non-working position.

3. In a ripper, the combination of: a working frame having earth ripper means; a draft frame for pulling said working frame; toggle means operably connected to said frames; operating means for operating said toggle. means so as to swingably move said working frame relative to said draft frame for moving said working frame between working and non-working positions; supporting means for supporting said draft frame in a suitable position; and means for lowering said supporting means relative to said draft frame when said working frame is in non-working position.

4. In a ripper, the combination of: a working frame having earth ripper means; a draft frame for pulling said working frame; toggle means operably connected to said frames; operating means for operating said toggle means so as to swingably move said working frame relative to said draft frame for moving said working frame between working and non-working positions; supporting means for supporting said draft frame in a suitable position; and means operably connected to said toggle means for lowering said supporting means relative to said draft frame when said working frame is in non-working position.

5. In an earth working device, the combination of: a draft frame; a working frame operatively connected to said draft frame and being movable between working and non-working positions; toggle means connected to said working frame and said draft frame, and having an extended posi-- tion in which said working frame is in working position and a collapsed position in which said working frame is in non-working position; means for operating said toggle means; supporting means for supporting said draft frame; and means for moving said supporting means between raised and lowered positions.

6. In an earthworkingdevice, the combination of: a draft frame; a working frame operatively connected to said draft frame and being movable between working and non-working positic-n5; toggle means connected to said working frame and said draft frame, and having an extended position in which said working frame is locked in a predetermined working position relative to said draft frame and a collapsed position in which said working frame is in non-working position; means for operating said toggle means; supporting means for supporting said draft frame; and means for moving said supporting means between raised and lowered positions.

JOHN M. CORBE'II. 

